Polar Bears on Thin Ice

We have known for many years that declining sea ice is having a negative impact on polar bears. Without ice cover, the bear's ability to hunt seals is restricted. But a couple of new studies by Dr. Andrew Derocher, a Professor of Biological Sciences at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, and his colleagues, have shown that the problem, over the past few years in one particular area, is much worse than they thought, and could become critical across the entire Arctic by the end of this century. In the southern Beaufort Sea region, the population fell from about 1500 to 900 bears over ten years, from 2000-2010. The second study showed that by 2100, polar bears across the Arctic may have to endure 2-to-5 ice-free months, if the current warming trend continues. 

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